Raiders' Hue Jackson is setting an intense mood

RAIDERS

Published 4:00 am, Friday, August 27, 2010

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson made a point during workouts. The 2010 Oakland Raiders in action at their training camp in Napa, Calif. Monday August 2, 2010.

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson made a point during workouts. The 2010 Oakland Raiders in action at their training camp in Napa, Calif. Monday August 2, 2010.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson (center) pushed Darren McFadden (left) out of the way of a drill which got to close during drills. The 2010 Oakland Raiders in action at their training camp in Napa, Calif. Monday August 2, 2010. less

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson (center) pushed Darren McFadden (left) out of the way of a drill which got to close during drills. The 2010 Oakland Raiders in action at their training camp in Napa, Calif. ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Darrius Heyward-Bey during receiver drills. The 2010 Oakland Raiders in action at their training camp in Napa, Calif. Monday August 2, 2010.

Darrius Heyward-Bey during receiver drills. The 2010 Oakland Raiders in action at their training camp in Napa, Calif. Monday August 2, 2010.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Rookie linebacker Rolando McClain (55) walked among his new teammates. The 2010 Oakland Raiders in action at their training camp in Napa, Calif. Monday August 2, 2010.

Rookie linebacker Rolando McClain (55) walked among his new teammates. The 2010 Oakland Raiders in action at their training camp in Napa, Calif. Monday August 2, 2010.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Raiders' Hue Jackson is setting an intense mood

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The cries of "Hue" could be heard throughout training camp, as Raiders defensive players called out offensive coordinator Hue Jackson's name every time they stopped the offense. The trash-talking Jackson can dish it out, and he can take it.

On Thursday, when he took the podium and met reporters for the first time since he was hired in January, Jackson said that he is a man of the people.

"I like to try to have as good a relationship with our defensive players as I do with our offensive players," he said. "This is a team sport. ... We all kind of work together and work through each other. If I can motivate them in any way, case or form that helps them get through the day or practice a little bit better, it's going to help the offensive football team."

At his previous NFL stops, most recently Baltimore where he was quarterbacks coach the past two years, everybody talked about his style.

"I'm kind of an in-your-face guy," Jackson said. "I coach with a lot of energy. The most important thing is, I'm looking for a result. I'm after a result and a result is (when) I can get our players - whether it's offense against defense or defense against offense - to compete at a high level, because that's what this game is."

Jackson has taken over play-calling duties from head coach Tom Cable, and cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha believes Oakland is a better team for doing that - and not replacing Cable altogether.

"It's always a big impact when you don't have a coaching change, because guys are used to the person who is calling the shots," Asomugha said. "So I think it's had a huge impact.

"We have had the coaching change with the coordinator, but (Jackson) plays to the players' strengths so there hasn't been any head-butting there."

Cable and Jackson have history together, putting their feet up together in the film rooms of coaching staffs at Cal State Fullerton (1990) and Cal (1996). So there's no stepping on each other's toes.

"Tom's one of those old throwback coaches. He likes to get down in the dirt and get after it, and so do I," Jackson said. "We kind of do it with a little flair. ... I think our players enjoy it. You guys have talked to our players. I think they like the direction we're heading. That's the biggest thing."

There is a confidence surrounding the team right now, which almost sounds ludicrous considering Oakland has had seven straight seasons with at least 11 losses.

"(Jackson) pushes everybody each and every play," quarterback Jason Campbell said. "There's not a day off, there's not a play off. In order to be a champion in life, you've got to work like one. That's what he preaches every day, to work like a champion."

Jackson is credited with the development of quarterback Joe Flacco at Baltimore. Now he has his hands full with a Raiders team that was second to last in the league in scoring with 197 points last season.

He's excited by Campbell's leadership, and he touched on other topics Thursday:

The new offense: "We're striving for balance. We want to be a team that can run the football when we need to run it and can throw it when we need to throw it. We're a multiple-formation team. We have some no-huddle. We do a little bit of everything. We do whatever it takes to win football games."

"Building a bully": "We want to go back and take our football team and understand what the Raiders' tradition is. And I think every player that wears that helmet understands what we're trying to build here."

The backup quarterback: "That's yet to be determined." Jackson was instrumental in the Raiders signing Kyle Boller, who had a nice camp while Bruce Gradkowski was out with a groin injury. "Kyle has done a wonderful job. We're just kind of going to let this thing sort itself out over the next couple of weeks. ... I haven't seen Bruce perform in a game. That will be exciting for me."

Michael Bush and Darren McFadden: "I don't know yet. Darren hasn't played yet." McFadden has been out with a tight hamstring. "Obviously he'll get an opportunity in this game and then we'll see where it goes from there."

The progress of receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey: Has Jackson had to boost the receiver's confidence? "I think the sky's the limit for the young man. I just think he needs to go play. ... I don't think I need to build up any football player's confidence. What it is, is going to work. It's rolling up your sleeves every day and going out to work to improve your skill level. That's what the young man has done. Obviously he needs to go do it in a game. I think he will."

Jackson, a Los Angeles native, returning to California: "Oh my gosh, this is a dream come true for me. To have an opportunity to work for Mr. Al Davis - and I'm being very sincere when I tell you guys that - that man is phenomenal. He is a walking football. There is nothing about football that you can't talk to Mr. Davis about.

"But me being back home, being back in California ... there's nothing like being home. And I want to come back and help restore the great tradition here."

If things go according to plan, Oakland fans will be chanting Jackson's name just like the players do in practice.

"There is an expectation here," Jackson said. "The Raiders are supposed to win. And that is our expectation and that's what we are going to do."

Also: Ranked as one of top six recruiters in nation by the Sporting News while at USC. ... As a quarterback at Pacific from 1985-86, he threw for 2,544 yards and 19 touchdowns and ran for 919 yards.

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